94: THE CAULIFLOWEE. 



open ground, as practised by many large growers, 

 an extra quantity should be used to ensui'e against 

 almost certain loss of some of the plants by the 

 flea beetle. The soil should be rich and fine, so 

 that the plants will pass the critical stage as quickly 

 as possible. Sowing radish seeds with the cauli- 

 flower is practised by some, as this seed costs but 

 little, and the radishes, coming up first, are attacked 

 by the tieas, which, to some extent, saves the 

 cauliflowers. When the fleas appear, almost any 

 kind of dust will keep them in check somewhat. 

 Lime and ashes are used, but plaster, which 

 adheres to the leaves better, seems equally good. 

 I have had good successf with rancid fish oil, mixed 

 as thoroughly as possible with water and sprayed 

 upon the plants. An emulsion made of the oil, in 

 the same manner as hereafter described for kero- 

 sene, would enable it to be used to better advantage. 

 A decoction of tobacco, or fine tobacco dust, are 

 standard remedies for this insect. 



Cut Woems. — Cauliflower plants being fully twice 

 as valuable as cabbage plants, and it being of more 

 importance to have them started at the proper time, 

 it is necessary to give greater care to protect them 

 from cut worms. Absolutely clean land contains no 

 cut worms, but such land is seldom used on which 

 to plant cauliflower. Sod land, which is generally 

 used, is nearly always full of cut worms. A multi- 



